Social Psychology Flashcards
(22 cards)
Cognitive Dissonance
-We are motivated to be consistent (self-verification theory) and strive for equilibrium in our relationships and attitudes.
-Inconsistency feels uncomfortable
- We are motivated to resolve that inconsistency
How we deal with dissonance?
- Change our attitude
-Change our behavior
-Add a consonant cognition (justification for the inconsistency)
Insufficient Justification
If there is a good external reason that resolves that discrepancy.
-Like the $20 condition in lying, “I lied for the money”
Post-Decisional Dissonance
-Decision between similar equally desirable alternatives, post decision end up preferencing the chosen object/thing
-Resolve inconsistency (choosing one equally good alternative) by changing attitude to match behavior
-Focus on positive attributes of chosen item & downplay negative attributes
-Focus on negative attributes of rejected item & downplay positive attributes
Social Facilitation
The presence of others increases arousal and facilitates dominant response tendencies. This improves performance on easy or well-learned tasks but hinders performance on difficult or novel tasks
what happens if the task is easy?
Performance is enhanced
what happens if the task is hard?
Performance is impaired
Mere presence of others
-The mere presence of others makes a person more aroused.
-Other people are dynamic and unpredictable stimuli, capable of doing almost anything at any time. We therefore need to be alert, or aroused, in their presence so we can react to what they might do.
Evaluation Apprehension
People’s concern about how they might appear to others or be evaluated by them. Thus, this would require the possibility that others can evaluate/judge you.
Consider taking a test in a classroom
If mere presence is true, what should we expect to see? When will dominant response occur?
Consider taking a test in a classroom
If evaluation apprehension is true, what should we expect to see? When will dominant response occur?
Groupthink
occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.
Symptoms of groupthink
-Overestimation of group power and morals (illusion of invulnerability)
-Stereotyping/othering dissidents
-Pressure towards uniformity (illusion of unanimity)
how to reduce groupthink
-Leader withholds opinions
-Include group members with diverse viewpoints
-Appoint individuals to question, criticize, and challenge
-Remove time constraints
Social Loafing
-Tendency to work less hard when working in a group than working alone
-Feel less personally responsible for group’s output
How we are shaped by society
-Our thoughts, actions, behaviors in part shaped by our social world
-Even if actively reject aspects of our social world may unintentionally internalize the messages we are constantly being fed.
Prejudice
Beliefs about members of social groups, beliefs that reflect what we think members of a particular group are like.
Stereotypes
Generalized feelings/ attitudes toward members of a social group
Discrimination
behavior directed toward people on the basis of their group membership
Implicit bias
Implicit biases can influence behaviors and decisions, especially in high-pressure, time-limited, and cognitively taxing situations
Implicit bias may be outside of conscious awareness
Explicit bias
Critiques on individual focus
